7 Days Bogotá, Medellín & Cartagena

Colombia – Cities, Coffee & Caribbean Beaches

7 Days /6 Nights

Colombia – a breath taking mystic country with incredible biodiversity and abundance, a country full of colourful contrasts, vibrant energy, tropical sounds and beautiful landscapes. Explore the natural and cultural treasures of Colombia starting in Bogota – the Andean capital of

Colombia – following its colonial past and impressive presence. Medellín – the City of Eternal Spring – has gone through a transformation from one of the most dangerous cities in the world into a fascinating melting pot of cultures. You will get to know its dark past with Pablo Escobar, but also travel deep into its Andean surroundings, the coffee region, that is full of green valleys, mountains and rivers – probably one of the most beautiful regions of Colombia.

Here you will climb the breath-taking Peñol Boulder and experience a coffee-workshop on a small, traditional, family-run coffee farm and learn more about coffee from the plant to your cup. Explore the beauty of Cartagena de Indias and experience the colonial atmosphere that brings you closer to the Caribbean Soul and learn more about the colourful colonial history of the city. Discover the Caribbean National Park Islas del Rosario and enjoy white sandy beaches and snorkeling through coral reefs.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Enjoy amazing views over Bogotá from the Monserrate Mountain

See the famous Gold Museum and Emerald Museum

Get to know the history of Pablo Escobar and his impact on Medellín

Learn how the people of Medellin think about Escobar

Visit a traditional Colombian coffee farm

Learn more about coffee growing and processing

Climb the Peñol Boulder and enjoy breath taking views

Discover the historical centers of Cartagena and Santa Marta and get to know its colonial past

Explore coral reefs and the ecosystem of the crystal clear Caribbean waters

Meet the women of the DAMARTES association and craft your own Coconut souvenir• *All trips can be subject to change

On your arrival at the airport of Bogotá there will already be a driver awaiting you to bring you to your hotel. With the start of your roundtrip all over Colombia, you are going to discover its capital and visit the most iconic parts of the city. Go up the impressive Monserrate Mountain and enjoy the endless view; afterwards, walk through the Candelaria district, where the city of Bogotá was founded.

Explore the Plaza de Bolivar, the Palace of Justice, the Presidential Palace and walk by the old colonial houses that have shaped the history of the city. See the largest library of South America and pay a visit to the famous Gold and Emerald Museum. To complete the picture, discover the northern parts of Bogotá and learn about cultural differences within the city and then return to your hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Casa Deco***/Hotel Santa Lucia*****

Day 2: Medellin’s Transformation (B)

In the morning, a private driver will bring you to the airport , from where you will head off to Medellín and get to know the city on our extraordinary tour about the city’s past and present. Sadly, Pablo Escobar Gaviria is still the most famous son of the city of Medellin. During the 1980s, Escobar controlled huge parts of the international cocaine traffic and violence in Medellin was at its peak the early 90s, when the hunt for Pablo Escobar until his death in 1993 took place. Learn why he is still one of the most controversial persons in Colombia’s history and where he left his marks.

In the year 2002 though Medellín began its huge change . Local politicians started to invest heavily in infrastructure and public education and today the “City of Eternal Spring” is one of the most innovative metropolises in the world. Learn more about the transformation of this fascinating city that became a totally different one and is now the favorite city for the vast majority of Colombians.

Accommodation: Boutique la Campana ***/Hotel Park 10 *****

Day 3: Guatapé &amp; The Peñol Boulder (B, L)

The Peñol Boulder is one of the most spectacular destinations in the surrounding area of Medellín. The 200-meter-high monolith can be climbed through a staircase of 740 steps. Enjoy breath-taking views over the stunning surroundings full of green mountains and blue lakes. The village of Guatapé is famous for its church and its beautiful, colourful paintings that decorate the houses of the village.

On this day trip we will take you on a scenic drive through the Eastern Highlands of Antioquia. You can climb the Peñol Boulder, enjoy a delicious typical Colombian lunch on the waterfront of the Guatapé reservoir, explore the lake on a boat ride and take time to stroll and relax.

In the evening you return to your hotel and get ready for the next day that will take you to a traditional coffee farm in the heart of Antioquia.

Accommodation: Boutique la Campana ***/Hotel Park 10 *****

Day 4: Coffee Experience Workshop (B, L)

Experience the traditional coffee culture on a typical Colombian farm, that is located just two hours from Medellín. Unlike big enterprises, that grow millions of plants, you will get to know the traditional way of growing coffee on the farm of Don Octavio Acevedo and his family, that produce their own coffee brand and give us the unique opportunity to observe the whole coffee processing from the plant to the cup. Before lunch you stroll through the coffee fields learning more about growing, collecting the coffee beans and the inventions of Octavo’s father. After a delicious lunch you get an insight into the roasting process and furthermore about the best way to prepare the coffee. You won’t believe how many different types and tastes of coffee exist!

Accommodation: Boutique la Campana ***/Hotel Park 10 *****

Day 5: Beautiful Cartagena (B)

The plane will take you in the morning to Cartagena de Indias, which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in America. Its historic centre, walled by the fortifications built in the colonial era, conserves its original architecture and is full of colors that will fill the visitors with the Caribbean life and joy. Its fascinating history as one of the pearls of the time and largest slave port in the colonies, make it a place of great importance and colonial highlights.

The City-Tour will start visiting the Cerro de La Popa, a former Augustinian convent rising 150 meters above the city, where you will have the best view of Cartagena. After that, visit the largest military construction ever built by the Spaniards in their colonies, the Fort of San Felipe de Barajas. Then, head to the historic centre where you can visit the plazas, churches and the most beautiful and important streets and buildings of the city.

The Islas del Rosario are a crystal clear water paradise, ideal for watching colourful coral reefs and marine wildlife in the shallow ocean. Located only 45 km from Cartagena Bay, a speedboat will take you from the historic center of Cartagena to Isla Grande (1 hour). This National Park protects unique underwater ecosystems, mainly coral reefs, inhabited by a multitude of invertebrate species and a big variety of fish in all colors you can imagine!

Another highlight of this pristine environment are the beautiful beaches that invite to relax in the sun, where you will have a typical lunch. Arriving on the island you will have time to go swimming, snorkeling or kayaking.